Share your Big House “down in front!” stories
These tend to be the most entertaining stories and fan experiences because of the nerve of people.
Maybe it’s just where we tend to sit for games (sections 37-39) but the down in fronters have decreased significantly in the last decade. 40 used to be a section I’d get seats in but I had a not great experience last year at the Indiana game.
Bunch of muckity mucks of course yelled down in front when the 20 rows in front of us were standing up since we were in a game with and losing at halftime to Indiana and it was tense. I just ignored it until I stood up and turned around at some point in the second half eventually and gave them the icy stare and they weren’t heard from again.
So Section 40 is done. But other than that that’s all the down in front I’ve ever personally experienced. My folks saw a guy nearly get into a fistfight at the 2016 Wisconsin game because get this: a 30-something down in fronters kept bitching at an older man standing while everyone else was standing in front of him. The old guy cocked his arm back about to deck the young douche and my step dad restrained the guy so it didn’t happen.
Curious to hear stories from other parts of The Big House and if the down in front has gone down or not as I never really sit outside the NE corner.
November 7th, 2019 at 1:09 PM ^
Cool story, bro
November 7th, 2019 at 1:24 PM ^
I hate the bye weeks!
November 7th, 2019 at 1:14 PM ^
Not at the Big House... but at Happy Valley of all places in the visitor section. Like wtf. Aren’t you supposed to be loud for your team at an away game especially?
No wonder the Big House has a reputation for being quiet af when it’s the largest stadium in the country (architecture excuses and all).
How can you be loud and difficult atmosphere with these kind of fans? Smfh
Glad it’s changing with the newer generation.
November 7th, 2019 at 8:06 PM ^
OK, boomer.
November 7th, 2019 at 10:01 PM ^
Calling someone a boomer isn’t the insult you think it is. And it’s just as lame as calling someone a millennial. There are considerate and thoughtful people in every generation.
You don’t appear to be one of them.
November 7th, 2019 at 8:24 PM ^
I’m not young. The down in fronters were dicks in the 80s also
November 7th, 2019 at 8:47 PM ^
How about the “me last” mentality of you assholes that destroyed the planet. Go to hell
November 7th, 2019 at 8:57 PM ^
Seriously? The “assholes that destroyed the planet”?
As if one generation could “destroy” the planet.
So, since it’s already been destroyed ... do we stop recycling and being green?
November 7th, 2019 at 11:44 PM ^
The planet is not destroyed and won’t be for a long time. BUT it’s good to have CONSERVATIVE principles and work hard to preemptively save the planet.
November 8th, 2019 at 12:46 PM ^
You're 100% correct but you can't make your statement here. Speech isn't free. Selfish turds will insist they have the right to do as they please regardless.
I stand when I should and sit when I should. If you're the only douchebag standing because you think you are a better fan because of it? Oh yeah, then you're a douchebag.
November 8th, 2019 at 2:01 AM ^
I sat on the 1B side/ seat directly behind Bill Walton in Fenway for a WS game vs Mets....
He laughed a lot.
November 7th, 2019 at 1:17 PM ^
I was at the Iowa game this year, section 35, row 25ish, and it was a TV timeout. Let me repeat--it was during a TIMEOUT. So I did what most normal fans do...I stood up to stretch my legs at a time where I wouldn't be bothering anyone. All of a sudden I heard a lady yell "Will you sit down!" I turned around to see a lady about 10 rows up staring at me and holding her phone up. I responded somewhat sarcastically "During a timeout???" Yes indeed. There was a picture that just had to be taken at that very moment and she just couldn't wait.
Not technically "Down in front", but you get the point.
November 7th, 2019 at 1:37 PM ^
{insert World Series example here}
November 7th, 2019 at 11:58 PM ^
I stand up the entire game and so that’s down for timeouts. We are opposites.
November 7th, 2019 at 1:17 PM ^
I have season tickets in section 37. Haven't heard a "down in front" from anyone yet! In fact, at the Notre Dame game, I'm pretty sure not a single person in the stadium sat down the entire game. I know section 37 didn't!
November 7th, 2019 at 2:13 PM ^
He is right. No one sat down during that game, not even my wife. Except for halftime LOL. Guess that makes us all tough guys. I'm good with that.
November 7th, 2019 at 3:50 PM ^
I did. Seems like every time I stood up, something bad happened.
November 7th, 2019 at 4:33 PM ^
Stand long enough and you might earn the 12th man designation. Which I guess is a negative because "midwestern politeness dictates"??
Stand and cheer. These down in front types need to be exorcised.
Cheers.
November 7th, 2019 at 8:46 PM ^
No one was sitting b/c they did not want to sit in the rain water on the seats. Most people in attendance had rain gear that kept them dry, including their pants.
November 7th, 2019 at 1:26 PM ^
Wow, you are like really tough.
November 7th, 2019 at 5:58 PM ^
Dude.
November 7th, 2019 at 1:26 PM ^
I yelled "Sit down! You're blocking my view!" The people in front turned around and said, "Oh, sorry" and sat down. I replied, "No problem, thanks."
November 7th, 2019 at 2:00 PM ^
The Michigan Difference!
November 7th, 2019 at 7:28 PM ^
That was The exact same story I had. Except I was one apologizing.
November 7th, 2019 at 1:29 PM ^
I've heard it over the years in a variety of sections. My season tickets are currently in the lower part section 18 and it has been wonderful. Most people in that section stand the whole game, yell and really get into it. It also is dependent on what's going on in the game and the opponent. There is a lot of respect for all viewers whether they sit or stand and how they wish to participate vocally.
November 7th, 2019 at 4:03 PM ^
I'd love to be able to stand for the whole game but I have a new hip and really need two new knees. If I stood for the whole game, my knees would look like balloons. I stand or sit depending on what's going on. Most people in my section (43) sit except when something good or a critical third down takes place.
Some of you "youts" as Joe Pesci would say, need to understand that for some of us older folks, and I'm nowhere as old as some of the old, old alums whom you criticize for sitting, we just can't stand for hours on end.
November 7th, 2019 at 1:32 PM ^
Spartan Stadium, not the Big House but I was pulled down from behind by an old lady at the 2003 Michigan/Michigan State game. First 3rd down of the game or something like that. I was a young teenager and her and her husband hadn't missed a game since WWII.
I remember other Sparty fans near us being extra nice to us after that. Every fanbase has both jerks and kind people.
The old couple behind us never stopped complaining about us through the game though. Attending that many State games would make anyone a bitter old pill I suppose. Especially as Chris Perry is grinding your team to dust. All in all a good memory.
November 7th, 2019 at 5:28 PM ^
I would have worked on forcing out some flatulence to enhance their experience. Coney dogs all around!!
November 7th, 2019 at 1:33 PM ^
I am a young person, and I’ve gone to almost every Michigan football game over the course of last 20 years. There is an appropriate time to stand and sit.
Appropriate times to stand:
- Opening Kickoff
- Third Downs on Defense
- 4th Quarter Defense in tight game (all downs are acceptable)
- Offense and goal to go
- Offense after big play
- Overtime - stand for all of it
When it’s probably not a good time to stand:
- 1st down on offense
- 2nd down on offense
- Random punts
In my opinion there is nothing ruder than someone standing up on some meaningless play. Not everyone has the endurance or wants to stand all game and you should be respectful of that. One person stands up and then 100 have to stand up in order to see. It’s just inconsiderate.
Standing up itself adds no value. Noise adds value. There is nothing that precludes you from being loud while sitting down. I am loud as hell even when I’m sitting.
November 7th, 2019 at 1:38 PM ^
You should add to the list of appropriate times to stand-
- when multiple rows in front of you are standing regardless of down
November 7th, 2019 at 1:40 PM ^
Agreed.
November 7th, 2019 at 2:54 PM ^
Agreed WD. Also, When I go to the Big House I stand. There are times to sit but ultimately I am too pumped to be sitting most of the time. Probably the reason why most of the sitters are often times quiet. Until they can't see!
November 7th, 2019 at 2:01 PM ^
This is ridiculous and one of the things that makes Michigan Stadium lame. If you want to sit down to watch a football game, stay home. There is no "bad time" to stand. It's my biggest pet peeve and a large reason I don't go to more games as an alumnus.
November 7th, 2019 at 2:12 PM ^
So you would have 80 year olds stand for a whole game even though they may have been a season ticket holder for 40+ years? You’d tell them to go sit at home? Do you realize how disrespectful that is? I hope you never get old and want to go to a game.
Michigan football is timeless and one of the cool things about the stadium is how many season ticket holders have held onto their tickets for multiple decades.
November 7th, 2019 at 3:43 PM ^
Thank you. Completely agree. My father, in fact, is 81. He is a long time season ticket holder that loves Michigan and understands football. He can’t stand easily for long periods especially in the tight surroundings of the stadium.
Like you said, there are obvious appropriate times to stand. But standing just for the sake of it, at the obvious detriment of those around you is rude. The attitude that only “real fans” stand all game and scream is just dumb.
November 7th, 2019 at 3:58 PM ^
Use disdain in lieu of detriment & you're right on.
November 7th, 2019 at 3:45 PM ^
I’m 46 and I would. My grandfather got our seats back in the 70’s and while he still attended games in his 80’s, not many, he stood and cheered as loud as he was able. Michigan also has a fantastic policy for elderly or disabled fans so none of this is an issue. The older I get the more enticing a comfy recliner, nearby restroom and not being cutoff from drinking becomes. And let’s be honest here. I don’t see people in their 80’s at games. I see dbags with their headphones on bitching. Section 9 is a section that stands and yells their balls off the whole game.
November 7th, 2019 at 4:11 PM ^
You don't see people in their 80's at the games? You're not looking very hard then.
November 7th, 2019 at 2:37 PM ^
then why have the fucking benches?
November 7th, 2019 at 4:12 PM ^
To mark your spot.
November 7th, 2019 at 2:06 PM ^
If you go to an Osu game or bigtime game and sit, you should hear it from the fans!
November 7th, 2019 at 5:23 PM ^
I’ll be row A for the OSU game. I’ll be standing and yelling the whole time. I will not sit down if anybody tells me “down and front”. Blow off already.
November 7th, 2019 at 3:37 PM ^
Exactly! Been in my seats in section 38 for 39 years now. There are times when standing is justified, but the plays you cited are not them times, us old guys need to sit at times and still see the game, thanks.
November 7th, 2019 at 4:25 PM ^
Go yell at some clouds or tell someone to get off your lawn.
November 7th, 2019 at 1:36 PM ^
Not a “down in front” but .... at the MTSU game this year. Took my 18 year old daughter. Excellent time tailgating etc. Anyhoo, about mid way through the first quarter this elderly woman directly in front of me turned around and asked for my daughter and I to “please watch our language” since she was there with her husband, son, and 5-ish year old grandson. I said “oh sure, apologies, I didn’t see the youngster there.”
As soon as I finished saying that, her elderly husband turned around and started giving me shit, being very disrespectful, and said “I’ll get the usher to throw your asses out.”
I calmly said something along the lines of “look bud, I already said we’d watch our language when I was speaking with your wife. I tried to be respectful but then you just had to jump in and start disrespecting me and threatening me and my daughter. So you can fuck right off. And good luck getting me thrown out asshole.”
So my daughter and I continued on cheering, and cussing even more than before, because you don’t get my respect by being disrespectful and threatening.
He left, presumably to try to get me kicked out, returned shortly thereafter to retrieve his family and leave the stadium.
A) taking your kids to a public event where alcohol is freely flowing and expecting not to hear cuss words is stupid.
B) being a disrespectful, threatening asshole and expecting compliance in return is even more stupid.
C) in hindsight, I should have just said “ok boomer.”
November 7th, 2019 at 1:56 PM ^
Most respectable people will try to watch their language when young kids are present.
November 7th, 2019 at 2:06 PM ^
I agree, observe your surroundings. My 8 year old son has every right to enjoy the game with out the drunk who smuggled in his flask berating the players and refs with f-bombs. Unless of course we have trouble with the snap again next week, my son may join you in your obscenities then, but really, a family shouldn't have to worry about exposing their children to R rated language on a fall afternoon in Ann Arbor.
November 7th, 2019 at 2:26 PM ^
I am guilty of this. I apologize. Not for the drinking part (I don't), but the occasional f bomb. Especially the ND PI call against us in the 3rd qtr, I did lose it. I felt bad after. By the way, I've been sitting in the same seats for 50 years, since 1969, passed down from Dad to me. I'm 61 now so I guess I shouldn't stand or cuss anymore. Nothing better than getting a "down in front" from a millennial though.
Sorry. Like Coach Harbaugh, I've upped my game. Go Blue!
November 7th, 2019 at 2:41 PM ^
oh i dropped an f bomb or two at the ND game when that PI was called on our INT. i usually try to cuss under my breath.